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From the Pastor’s
Heart...
Love
your enemy?
You
can’t be serious!
Oct
13, 2008
Lately I’ve been thinking about the two kingdoms that we
as Christians are a part of. I think about the kingdom of God that has come
(though not fully) through Jesus Christ and the kingdom of this world. These two
kingdoms certainly clash and sometimes it feels like God’s kingdom is losing.
This is personified by the story of a Christian man getting beat because he was
a Believer. The persecutor sarcastically asked the Christian man what his God
could do for him now. The Christian’s response was that his God could empower
him to love and forgive. Christians living in God’s kingdom never lose but
there is an obvious clash between the two kingdoms.
This is also evidenced in the way Christians treat enemies.
The kingdoms of this world identify the enemy and respond accordingly. On a
national scale, I can remember when Communism was the enemy and the evil to be
destroyed. I remember the relief I felt when Communism fell and no longer seemed
like such a looming threat to us in the West. I didn’t know until later, after
spending five years in the former Soviet Union, just how many people suffered
when Communism fell. People lost their life savings. They lost their jobs. Their
health care and stability were completely destroyed. In America, I was rejoicing
because a threat was eliminated. The point is not that I think Communism
doesn’t work, but just that it’s easy for us Christians to fall into
thinking that we would be happier and safer if all our “enemies” would be
eliminated. The reality is that this will not happen until we die or until Jesus
returns… or according to your view of end times. In other words, until we get
to heaven, we are called to live in this world where we will face our enemies
and be persecuted.
As Anabaptists, we cling to the words of Jesus that
encourage us to love our enemies and to do good to those who abuse us. Could
anything be tougher? Is it really possible to bless someone who causes us harm
and pain? Well, thankfully Jesus gave us the example that we can follow. He
endured wrong treatment by the enemy and still won. I Peter reflects on
suffering at the hands of the enemy.
I Peter. 2:19 “For this is commendable, if because of
conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
1).
Suffering unjustly is commendable.
Verse
21: “For
to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that you should follow His steps.”
2).
We are “called” to persevere when we suffer unjustly.
Verse
23: “who,
when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
3).
Through Jesus we are given an example to follow when we suffer at the hand of
the enemy.
How do I live with God’s values in a world that doesn’t
recognize God’s kingdom? I suppose that is where the suffering part comes in.
As I watch the news and hear about our national enemies, I must
admit feeding my enemy isn’t the first thing I think about.
As confusing as it might seem sometimes, as Christians we
obey God while living in this world. The kingdom of God calls us to love our
enemies even when it looks and feels like we are losing. We are called to love
even in the midst of unjust wrongs, inconsiderate people, unfair judgments, and
wrong accusations. Jesus’ words are true, “Love your enemy.” How hard is
that? It’s impossible, without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit of God.
God help us to love our enemies.
Your pastor, Tim.
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